Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Poultry Heat Stress Management

Chickens and turkeys in intensive systems are vulnerable to heat stress during summer, causing significant mortality and chronic welfare problems.

Key Facts

Broiler chickens have limited heat tolerance due to genetic selection for fast growth
Heat stress mortality events affect millions of birds annually
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves
Ventilation, evaporative cooling, and stocking density management reduce heat stress

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes panting, reduced feed intake, lethargy, and in severe cases death by hyperthermia. Broiler chickens with enlarged breast muscles have compromised respiratory and cardiovascular capacity that worsens heat tolerance. Chronic heat stress from inadequate ventilation causes ongoing discomfort throughout the growth cycle. Better housing design and lower stocking densities reduce this welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Choose poultry products from certified welfare systems with proper ventilation
Advocate for heat stress welfare standards in poultry regulations
Support development of heat-tolerant poultry genetics with welfare considerations
Reduce poultry consumption during summer heat wave periods when mortality is high